Author Unwinding
I’ve been working 7 days a week since well probably February. I’m now cutting back to 6.5 days a week. Sundays will be my half day.
I need to take some time for me. To unwind.
LOL. I know half a day sounds like so little but it is a lot right now.
******
After the whirlwind of Killer Nashville and RJ Julia’s, I got to celebrate my best friend’s 36th birthday at his mom’s beach house.
I was sitting on the back wall, staring out at the ocean and I realized I never made it into the water this summer. I meant to. I hoped to. And it didn’t happen.
Rather than bemoan the missed opportunity, I went inside and slipped on my bathing suit.
I walked down the road to where the beach has buttery soft sandbars and I waded in.
And stayed there for 2 hours.
Mind you it was low tide so the water barely hit my hip. But I didn’t mind as I bounced under waves and floated around.
I just wanted a little time with the ocean.
Didn’t matter that I was out there alone.
I frolicked like a little kid.
And when I walked back to the beach house, I felt like I’d done everything I wanted this summer.
******
Author Winding Up
I’ve got a 50 minute workshop at CT Fictionfest, a 30 minute workshop at the Cascades Library in VA, and an author talk and reading at the Silas Bronson Library in CT.
I’ve been working on each one since July. And I’m in the fine tuning stage. Practicing the Powerpoints for the workshops. Seeing where I flub things in my presentation and smoothing it out.
I’m nervous. Two presentations and an author talk & reading in seven days is not easy. But practicing is all I can do to ease my jitters.
So I keep preparing. And preparing. And preparing.
Fingers crossed, these talks go well and I also sell some books.
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In honor of a very awesome review from Publishers Weekly for The Six Train Train to Wisconsin, I’m also giving away one signed copy via Goodreads. The Six Train giveaway ends today.
A frolic in the ocean sounds like a great way to close out the summer. Enjoy your “me” time, you deserve it, Kourtney.
Thanks Jill. It really was the perfect way to end the summer. That an a round of cranium with my beach buddies. 😉
Sounds like that half day off is much deserved. Can’t wait to hear about the presentations. Best of luck as you continue to prepare!
Thanks. I’m feeling pretty okay about them. A few more run throughs and I should be good! 🙂 that half day should help.
Yay, Kourtney, beach babe!
Lol. Wish you could have frolicked with me! 🙂
Congrats on the Publishers Weekly review and good luck. I hope you get some more water time next summer. You deserve it.
Thanks. I was really excited about that too. Hoping next summer sees more ocean time too. 🙂
Its time to unwind in so many ways, And I shouldn’t worry about your speech you will be just fine… Just trust the words will come, and they will,
have a great weekend and look forward to that half day of rest 🙂
Sue
Thanks Sue. I’m a pretty nervous public speaker so I over-prepare to compensate. I usually pull it off though. 🙂
I speak in services only giving 15 minutes philosophy talks in the beginning many years ago I would try to prepare, and always my words would change .. So I now trust to my higher self and just let the words come, I have never yet been let down or the venue disappointed,
We are always I think guided 🙂 Trusting is the key 🙂 Enjoy and don’t Work too hard! x
That’s cool that you found what works best for you! 🙂 Trial and error taught me that I need to know my workshop inside and out to teach it. I pretty much stick to script and that makes me a more relaxed speaker. 🙂
So glad you took some time to bob around in the water! Sounds like it refreshed your soul. You’re engaged in an impressive effort, promoting the book AND helping others. Atta girl! Take care. That half day will do you good…
I love the ocean. It always recenters me. Aw thanks. I do my best. Some days are better than others. But I keep at it. 🙂 hugs, K
Good luck with the talks. I’m sure you’ll do great. You definitely deserve a break. It’s interesting–while I’m taking time off to write, I work more hours a day than I did at an outside job. Hours and hours at the computer, either working on my manuscript or marketing. And I’m not doing the face-to-face stuff like you are. You MUST be exhausted!
Carrie I do sometimes think I might possibly lose my mind. I try to take an hour break and watch Netflix. Lol. I promised myself if I went indie I’d do it 100%. Just holding myself to it. And I’m not yet drafting anything new. 😉
I used to enjoy two hours of TV time at night to unwind from the day; otherwise I’d never get to sleep. Now I’m lucky if I get 30-40 minutes. So I hear you.
Ugh. Remember those days? TV now feels like such a luxury. 🙂
Oh, but I meant to add, you’re doing it brilliantly, and I think it kind of is all out for the first few months after a book release. But please do take care of yourself. We like having you around. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 I really thought I’d only promote for 3-4 months hardcore, but it’s turning into 5-6 months. Lol. I do make sure to work out daily and eat well. It’s a marathon not a race. 😉
You definitely deserve some “me” time after all the work you’ve put in so far! But I strongly suspect the results will be well worth the time and effort. 🙂
Lol. Not sure it will happen. Soon I’ll be working on Reckonings Revisions or outlining Six Train’s sequel. But I do my best to get some down time each day. 🙂
Congrats on Publisher’s Weekly. That rocks! Good luck with everything you’ve got lined up. When it’s over, it sounds like you definitely need a break!! 🙂
That was a total crap shot. But so thrilled it worked out! I try to space things out better, but when opportunity knocks I throw open the door and organize a dinner party. 😉
Hi Kourtney! It sounds like your book is doing great – way to go!
I think it’s doing well for an indie. 🙂 Ofc always wanting more sales, but pretty content with what’s happening.
Exactly what I’d expect of you… find the opportunity for a swim, and make the most of it. The same philosophy got you working 7 days a week, so it was a well deserved reward 🙂
Thanks. 🙂 Seizing every opportunity seems to be my motto this year. And trying not to let the moments pass too quickly. Hugs K
You’re smart to take time for yourself. I think that’s the best, healthiest attitude when you’re under a lot of pressure and stress. I’m so happy things are moving in a forward direction for you.
Thanks! I realized I can’t do it all in a week. Promotion blitz in May and June. Then a steady keeping on it. 🙂
best line
“i frolicked like a little kid ” xx
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Love it xx
of course You need to chill xxxx <3 xxx
Lol. Thanks. It was pretty hilarious. I was splashing myself. It was silly fun.:)
Much needed silly fun = YES XXXX
we all need it ….
I think xx
or we go BONKERS xxx
here is to silly fun <3 and happy hearts xo C
Indeed. Silly fun is a good antidote to the boredom or the tireds. 🙂 Cheers to silly fun and happy hearts! XOXOXO
Cheers K <3
xo
happy Monday xo
Thanks Catherine! 🙂
Hugs,
K
hugs honey xxx
i will eventually Blog again – OMG it’s been forever xxx
i can’t BLOG AND WORK at the same time xxxx
LOL xxxx
LOVE and FUN XX
Oh good! Miss your posts, but realize you are mad crazy busy! It’s hard to juggle so many things. 🙂
Love of love,
Kourtney
Congrats on your wonderful review, Kourtney! So glad you’re rockin’ it, as I knew you would. 🙂
Thanks August! I’m so thrilled PW picked Six Train! And I feel like the reviewer got my story. Aw, it’s because I have such an awesome role model in you! 🙂
Any time you can spend time near a sea or ocean gets my vote! It’s always good to take time to unwind so make sure you do more of it.
Good luck with the events. I’m sure once you’ve started you’ll love every minute of it. Have fun 🙂
Agreed. Yeah, I definitely need more unwinding time now. I’ve been go go go all year and it’s catching up to me. LOL. I am getting better at the public speaking and Q&A. It’s always nerve wracking but I am finding elements I enjoy. 🙂
I think if you’re not nervous then it’s because you’re not bothered about it any more. If it matters then you should feel the butterflies. I hope you continue to enjoy more elements of the experience. 🙂
LOL. That’s a great way of thinking about it. My dad was telling me I have a few nervous ticks. I nodded and said, but my voice doesn’t quiver anymore and I sound confident. He agreed. I am getting better at managing the butterflies and that’s something worth being proud of. 🙂
Definitely 🙂